Abstract: A method and system for enabling registration of a user to use a computer system. The method includes providing a printed registration form containing information relating to user registration, the form including coded data indicative of an identity of the form and of at least one reference point of the form. Indicating data is received, in a processing system associated with the computer system, from a sensing device regarding the identity of the form and a position of the sensing device relative to the form. The sensing device, when placed in an operative position relative to the form, generates the indicating data using at least some of the coded data on the form. The method further includes identifying, in the processing system and from the indicating data, at least one parameter relating to user registration, and storing the at least one parameter so as to be accessible by said computer system.

Abstract: A position-coding pattern (3) which extends across a surface and codes a plurality of positions (7a, 7b) on the surface is described. The coding in a first dimension is based on the use of a first and a second string of symbols, each containing a predetermined number of symbols and each having the characteristic that if a specific number of symbols is taken from the first string of symbols, the location of these symbols in the string of symbols is unambiguously determined. By means of displacements between these strings of symbols, a large number of positions can be coded in the first dimension. A third string of symbols of the same type is used for the coding in a second dimension.

Abstract: Disclosed is a format recognition method, apparatus and its storage medium for automatically recognizing the format of a form, whereby the format is automatically determined by examining the arrangement of the smallest rectangles. According to the present invention, the smallest rectangles are extracted from a form, and the positional relationship of these rectangles is obtained. The attribute of the smallest rectangle is determined from the positional relationship. In accordance with the attribute, the smallest rectangles are sorted into a headline portion and a data portion, and a character string in the data portion is recognized.

Abstract: A programming interface of document search system enables a user to dynamically specifying features of documents recorded in a corpus of documents. The programming interface provides category and format flexibility for defining different genre of documents. The document search system initially segments document images into one or more layout objects. Each layout object identifies a structural element in a document such as text blocks, graphics, or halftones. Subsequently, the document search system computes a set of attributes for each of the identified layout objects. The set of attributes are used to describe the layout structure of a page image of a document in terms of the spatial relations that layout objects have to frames of reference that are defined by other layout objects. Using the set of attributes a user defines features of a document with the programming interface.

Abstract: A biometric machine method for instantaneous assessment of the fine motor control of a human individual through analysis of that individual's handwriting dynamics in which the dynamic data concerning forces, accelerations, and the like, of a scriber, is collected during the process of cursive writing. The criteria of stability, smoothness and synchronization of the writer's motion are returned by the system as quantifying measures of the neurological function. The method processes behavioral random signals with application of the correlation function analysis to the handwriting dynamic signals. In one embodiment, the system includes an instrumented pen connected to a computer, power supply, and analog-to-digital converter, and with the handwriting samples provided on any writing surface. In a second embodiment, the system comprises an instrumental digital tablet having an active area and non-instrumented scriber with the handwriting samples provided on the active area of the grid.

Abstract: The image information processing system includes at least one image information processing apparatus, and at least one identification information registration specialized apparatus having no image confirmation function, at least one image information reading apparatus and means for establishing network-connection among these apparatuses.

Abstract: By printing documents and other objects with machine readable indicia, such as steganographic digital watermarks or barcodes, a great variety of document management functions can be enabled. The indicia can be added as part of the printing process (after document data has been output by an originating application program), such as by printer driver software, by a Postscript engine in a printer, etc. The indicia can encode data about the document, or can encode an identifier that references a database record containing such data. By showing the printed document to a computer device with a suitable optical input device (e.g., a webcam), an electronic version of the document can be recalled for editing, or other responsive action can be taken.

Abstract: A system for processing segmentation tags to generate a block level tag representative of a group of segmentation tags. The system includes first and second statistic compilation circuits, each of the compilation circuits being connected to receive segmentation tags and compile a statistic for a plurality of the received segmentation tags. An address controller connected to the first and second statistic compilation circuits operates to select one of the first and second compilation circuits to receive the segmentation tags.

Abstract: Images of handwritten cursive records are extracted, and an automated search on the images of the cursive records is performed based on an ASCII query for a record. A cursive equivalent of the ASCII query is matched to the images of the cursive records, and a similarity value is generated to indicate the extent of match between features of the cursive equivalent of the ASCII query and features of each cursive record. The records are sorted based upon their similarity value determined in the matching process. This provides a candidate list of cursive record images to be manually examined by a user for the purpose of making a final determination as to whether any of the cursive records on the candidate list satisfy the query.

Abstract: A data medium handling apparatus and a data medium handling method suitable for use for handling of documents, for example, in a financial organ. The data medium handling apparatus (30) for recognizing, based on an image (19) read from a data medium on which information is described in an arbitrary format, the information, is constructed such that it comprises means (2) for extracting characteristics unique to the data medium including the format from the read image data (19) and specifying, from the characteristics, a position at which information to be recognized is present, and image recognition means (3) for recognizing the image (19) at the position specified by the preceding means (2) to discriminate the information, so that the data medium handling apparatus (30) can handle documents having various formats such as private slips.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an information processing apparatus comprising: an image acquiring means for acquiring an objective image; an identification information recognizing means for recognizing, of the objective image acquired by said image acquiring means, identification information corresponding to a specific image pattern; a decision means for deciding whether said identification information recognized by said identification information recognizing means is local identification information for starting processing previously registered for each terminal or global identification information for starting processing common to all terminals; a local executing means for executing, if said identification information is decided as the local identification information by said decision means, the processing previously registered for each terminal; a global processing requesting means for requesting, if said identification information is decided as the global identification information by said decision means, a specific

Abstract: A system and method for processing segmentation tags is disclosed. The system comprises a neighborhood analysis module, transition analysis module, and a tag cleaning module. The neighborhood analysis module generates a neighborhood block tag prediction from a block of segmentation tags having a first predefined relationship with a current tag. The transition analysis module generate a transition block tag prediction from a block of segmentation tags having a second predefined relationship with the current tag. The tag cleaning module modifies selected segmentation tags based on the neighborhood block tag prediction and the transition block tag prediction. The method comprises identifying a current segmentation tag to be cleaned; generating a tag prediction from a plurality of segmentation tags having a predefined relationship to the current segmentation tag; and generating a cleaned segmentation tag for the current segmentation tag based upon the current segmentation tag and the tag prediction.

Abstract: According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus and method for creating digital images of small documents such as receipts and the like is disclosed. The invention incorporates a multi-layered document holder with a substantially transparent first layer at least partially connected to a second layer. By inserting small papers such as receipts and the like between the two layers, the document holder can be scanned and digital images of the documents sandwiched between the layers can be created.

Abstract: The system of the present invention includes a form design component, a form description repository, and a forms processing component Each form used with the system has a layout including a form identifier field with a common location space for each given form of the plurality of different types of forms.

Abstract: Newly received or generated paper documents of different content classifications are simply scanned under the control of a digital processor at random in date/time order to produce corresponding electronic images. Each paper document and its electronic image are automatically assigned a unique date/time identifier. No matter how the paper documents are classified, they simply are stacked in sequential folders, which in turn are stacked in sequential boxes. The folders and boxes are marked with the ranges of the date/time identifiers that have been assigned. The digital processor creates records that specify the classifications and the date/time identifiers of the documents. The digital processor then: can provide sets of electronic images that belong to selected content classifications for working purposes, and can indicate the locations of the paper documents in the folders and boxes whenever the need arises.

Abstract: An apparatus for interacting with printed material includes machine readable code added to printed material. The machine readable code is directed to additional information related to printed material. A scanner for reading the machine readable code is connected to an electronic appliance for retrieving and displaying the additional information. The electronic appliance is connected to a local information source/database or a remote information source/database, such as the Internet. The Internet, for example, contains the additional information to which machine readable code points. In a preferred embodiment, a printer is connected to the electronic appliance so that additional information may be retrieved and reviewed. In another preferred embodiment, audio information is accessed thereby enhancing the interactive nature of Braille books and/or hard and soft cover books.

Abstract: A method for characterizing an image where a number of test areas of predefined shape and size are located on the image. The color or the texture of the image over each of the test areas is quantified. The image can be characterized by statistical descriptions of the frequency distribution of color or texture of the test areas.

Abstract: A financial document processing system comprises a memory for storing (i) an executable transport application program, and (ii) a transport configuration set of parameters which is representative of at least a first device type and a second device type which is different from the first device type. A document processing transport has a document transport path along which documents can be transported and at least one device disposed along the document transport path for processing a document moving along the document transport path. A controller controls operation of the document processing transport in accordance with execution of the transport application program based upon the transport configuration set of parameters. The document processing transport is controllable by the controller independent of whether the at least one device disposed along the document transport path is of the first device type or the second device type.

Abstract: According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus and method for a digital filing system is disclosed. In this context, digital filing refers to the efficient management of paper-based information from its receipt at the desktop through an indexing, scanning, image storage, and image retrieval process. The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide for easy and effective indexing, imaging, storing, retrieving and managing of paper-based documents, transforming them into electronic documents using a system which incorporates many existing office resources. The proposed system and method implements a desktop solution for digital filing, which can be made available to each worker. Uniquely, the digital filing system of the present invention also allows users to index and label documents prior to scanning/imaging by using either a dedicated desktop labeling mechanism or pre-printed labels.

Abstract: Inventive two-dimensional barcodes, each having encoded digital information in a bitmap representing preferably randomized encoded data bits, are printed onto a printed medium. Preferably, error correction codes are added to the digital information to ensure that the decoding process accurately reproduce the digital information. In one embodiment, the bitmap may further include “anchor” bits in each corner, which are used as part of the skew estimation and deskewing processes during decoding. In a second embodiment, no “anchor” bits are required. The encoded digital information is mapped into the two-dimensional barcode in such a way as to minimize the errors caused by damage to particular rows and/or columns, for example, row damage caused by faxing the printed barcode. To extract the encoded digital information from the printed medium, the printed medium is scanned, then the bitmap is located within the printed medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for efficient information storage and retrieval of information. The method includes the steps of: scanning/selecting/capturing a selected portion of text of the information wherein the selected portion of text scanned is typically a close-to-unique identifier of the text from which the portion was excerpted and serves as a key when the information is accessed electronically; and placing the key in an electronically available index/directory to facilitate retrieval of the information. The method may further include retrieving and storing the information associated with the key and using it to index, organize, and make available for search and retrieval the full information originally viewed by the user.

Abstract: An image retrieval method and an image retrieval apparatus are disclosed in which it is possible to identify in which image-information recording medium or in which group an image to be retrieved is included. The image retrieval apparatus has a recording controller for recording image information on a disk drive or a hard disk drive. A reduction/expansion controller generates an index picture of a predetermined group of the image information. A retrieval-information storage unit generates index picture IDs, medium IDs, and folder IDs while correlating the above different types of IDs with each other, and stores the IDs together with the index pictures. With this arrangement, a desired item of image information is retrieved by using the index pictures, the index picture IDs, the medium IDs, and the folder IDs. It is thus possible to obtain a target image by sequentially checking the index picture visually.

Abstract: A network having a plurality of distributed systems at different geographical locations permits the random scanning of original documents at the different scanning locations and the storage of the original documents at precisely known storage locations. Original documents are identified by the date/time instances at which they have been scanned and are stored in containers that are marked with corresponding ranges of the date/time instances. Resulting images are identified by the date/time instances of scanning and may be organized electronically. The locations of original documents are immediately known to be in the containers that are marked with ranges of corresponding date/time instances.

Abstract: A method and system for employing image recognition techniques to produce a photocollage from a plurality of images wherein the system obtains a digital record for each of the plurality of images, assigns each of the digital records a unique identifier and stories the digital records in a database; automatically sorts the digital records using at least one date type to categorize each of the digital records according at least one predetermined criteria; and generates a first draft of a photocollage from the digital records. The method and system provides for alterations of the first draft using either a sticker selected from a plurality of stickers which each have a unique identifier within a data base or a digital file format that allows drag and drop features of both the photocollage and alternative images to be placed within the photocollage.

Abstract: A method and system for employing image recognition techniques to produce a photocollage from a plurality of images wherein the system obtains a digital record for each of the plurality of images, assigns each of the digital records a unique identifier and stories the digital records in a database; automatically sorts the digital records using at least one date type to categorize each of the digital records according at least one predetermined criteria; employs means responsive to the sorting step to compose a photocollage from the digital records. The method and system employ data types selected from pixel data; metadata; product order information; processing goal information; or customer profile to automatically sort data typically by culling or grouping to categorize according to either an event, a person, or chronologically.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus including: an image acquiring element for acquiring a target image; an identification information recognizing element for recognizing identification information corresponding to a specific image pattern from the target image acquired by the image acquiring element; and an activating element for activating selectively from among a plurality of previously stored processes a specific process corresponding to the identification information recognized by the identification information recognizing element so as to start execution of the specific process.

Abstract: An apparatus for remote ink control fountain selection comprising a video camera for reading a signature image, an image digitizer, an image comparator for comparing the signature image to a sample image set and a memory device for storing the sample image set in digitized form, as well as a method for remote ink fountain selection comprising the steps of digitizing sample images and providing each said sample image with an identification; digitizing a printed signature image from a printing press which corresponds to at least one of the sample images; comparing the digitized printed signature image to the digitized sample images; and outputting the identification of the digitized sample image upon a match with the digitized signature image.

Abstract: A computerized system for tracking the activities of a manufacturing system. Identifiers for parts, subassemblies or assemblies produced or used by the manufacturing system are generated and stored by a data processing system. The data processing system performs multi-level tracking of the manufacture of parts, subassemblies made from parts and assemblies made from parts and subassemblies, to facilitate detailed tracking and reconstruction of the manufacturing process and components of any assembly. The system also facilitates quality control; when a part identifier is read from the part, the system verifies that the part associated with the read identifier is supposed to be used in the manufacturing step. Also, the system ensures that all manufactured parts are tracked. The system also stores inspection and process conditions and facilitates statistical process control or statistical quality control data for parts, subassemblies and assemblies.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus with capabilities for determining the direction of image on an original document when said document is read by a reader. The direction of the image is automatically determined by performing character recognition of the characters associated with the image and thereby determining the direction of the characters. The image is then assumed to have the same direction as the characters, thus it is possible to read images of different directions and assembly them in a single direction for subsequent processing. The process can be adaptable to provide either processing speed or high productivity.

Abstract: A keyfact-based text retrieval method and a keyfact-based text index method that describes the formalized concept of a document by a pair comprising an object that is the head and a property that is the modifier and uses the information described by the pairs as index information for efficient document retrieval. A keyfact-based text retrieval system includes keyfact extracting, keyfact indexing, and keyfact retrieving. The keyfact extracting analyzes a document collection and a query and extracts keywords and keyfacts. The keywords do not have part-of-speech ambiguity and the keyfacts are extracted from the keywords. The keyfact indexing calculates the frequency of the keyfacts and generates a keyfact list of the document collection for a keyfact index structure. The keyfact retrieving receive a keyfact of the query and keyfacts of the document collection and defines a keyfact-based retrieval model in consideration of a weight factor of the keyfact pattern and generates a retrieval result.

Abstract: A user of a portable terminal writes sentences to be transmitted as an e-mail, a mail address, and information indicating that service a host device is requested to provide is “mail transmission” on paper as a memo. By using an image input unit installed in the portable terminal, the paper or the like is imaged. The portable terminal transmits the image data thus taken in to the host device. The host device analyzes received image data by using an image recognition unit. Upon recognizing by characters that the service requested by the portable terminal is “mail transmission”, the host device starts a mail transmitting/receiving unit. The mail transmitting/receiving unit transmits the content of the written memo included in the image data to a terminal specified by the mail address included in the image data.

Abstract: In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, a user-enclosed region extraction device allows users to store, in a digital format, only selected portions of a document image. The user can enclose any text or printed material within a user drawn mark. A connected component analyzer analyzes the document in a bitmap format which allows the device to detect potential user-enclosed regions regardless of the content of the document image. A bi-connected component module allows the user to enclose a region with a mark that can be of any shape. The user drawn enclosure can cross lines of text or graphics on the document paper. A detection analyses filter uses a number of heuristics to eliminate small characters and graphics that may resemble a user drawn mark. The user can save space on the computer storage medium by extracting the user-enclosed region from the document image using a extraction module.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for detection and deterrence of counterfeiting that permits one to make legitimate copies without introducing substantial visual artifacts or experiencing substantial processing delays by imposing a small, random, offset or jitter into the position upon a page where printing of a copy of a document begins. The jitter makes it extremely unlikely that the registration icons align when the secure document is copied. The misalignment of the icons signal that the copy is a counterfeit. In one implementation, the jitter is always introduced and, in another implementation, jitter is only introduced when counterfeiting is possible, or likely.

Abstract: A plurality of documents including at least one symbol is scanned by a scanner section so as to be converted to image data. The symbol is recognized from image data by a symbol recognizing section. Next, a table creating section creates a link table in which the symbol included in one page is made to correspond to the other page having a common shaped symbol. A document creating section creates an HTML document using the link table based on an HTML. When the symbol of one page in the HTML document on a screen is clicked, an access to the other page can be obtained.

Abstract: A user interface is implemented using visual indicia and a background for the visual indicia that encodes address information. The background appears visually as a stipple pattern, but is implemented using glyphs which form an address carpet that encodes address information uniquely identifying each location of the user interface. An image capture device is used to capture an area of the address carpet that is at or near visual indicia of interest to the user while selecting a location in the visual indicia. The image capture device captures the area of interest, and transmits the image area to a computer for processing. The computer first determines the proper orientation of the image, and then decodes the information encoded by the glyphs. The decoding results in an X, Y address identifying the location of the captured area in the address carpet and, by reference, the address of the selected location. Based on the address, the computer may perform an operation associated with the area.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer-implemented method for calculating word accuracy. Word grouping accuracy values (260) are calculated (212) by using the character accuracy values (250) calculated by an OCR program present in a computer system. The present invention preferably uses these character accuracy values (250) to create a word grouping accuracy value (260). Various methods are employed to calculate the word accuracy (260), including binarizing the character accuracy values (250), modified averaging of the character accuracy values (250), and creating fuzzy visual displays of word grouping accuracy values (260). The calculated word grouping accuracy values (260) are then adjusted based upon known OCR strengths and weaknesses, and based upon comparisons to stored word lists and the application of language rules. In a system with multiple character recognition techniques, the system can compare the accuracy values (260) of different versions of the word groupings to find the most accurate version.

Abstract: A system for detecting defects on a moving web having a sequential series of identical frames uses an imaging device to form a real-time camera image of a frame and a comparitor to comparing elements of the camera image with corresponding elements of an image of an exemplar frame. The comparitor provides an acceptable indication if the pair of elements are determined to be statistically identical; and a defective indication if the pair of elements are determined to be statistically not identical. If the pair of elements is neither acceptable nor defective, the comparitor recursively compares the element of said exemplar frame with corresponding elements of other frames on said web until one of the acceptable or defective indications occur.

Abstract: System and method for archiving and retrieving documents based on attributes of the document. The attributes are located by a processor that searches the document for a predefined set of attributes. The attributes may be particular words, word locations, font sizes, or other properties that can be located by a computer processor. The values associated with the attributes are stored in an index along with the document location. An attribute search may be performed on the index enabling quick location of documents with similar attributes to the search. A file provided the list of documents in order of similarity is provided as a result of the search. The system and method may further be used to retrieve similar documents by locating documents with similar attribute values to a provided document creating a file linked to the similar documents.

Abstract: A method for identifying image data bits, especially where the image data is to be reliably co-identified with collateral document has been disclosed. Such “identification-bits” should be carried with the image data through various stages of processing, so the image's identity can be maintained at each processing station, and can be transferred to a downstream processing station. A salient object hereof is to identify image data; especially with “sync bits”.

Abstract: An image filing system which uses, in addition to main document identification data in the form of a keyword assigned to a given document, auxiliary document identification data formulated to be representative of a characterizing portion of the image read from a given document, wherein the image data representative of the whole image read from the document is stored in one data storage area of a memory and the image data representative of the characterizing portion of the image is stored in another data storage area of the memory for use as the auxiliary document identification data. When the documents accessed as a result of the searching on the basis of a keyword or keywords, the auxiliary document identification data is displayed for each of the documents in addition to the keyword or keywords assigned to each of the documents listed on the display.

Abstract: Documents stored in a database are searched for relevance to contextual information, instead of (or in addition to) similar text. Each stored document is indexed in term of meta-information specifying contextual information about the document. Current contextual information is acquired, either from the user or the current computational or physical environment, and this “meta-information” is used as the basis for identifying stored documents of possible relevance.

Abstract: A primary body of data is displayable on a screen and a supporting body of data is relatable to an annotation tag present in the primary body of textual data. An annotation tag having a predetermined size in the primary body of data is selected, and negotiations ensue between the primary body of data and the supporting body to determine a space into which the supporting body of data can be fitted while substantially maintaining an unobstructed view of the primary body of data. To help accommodate the supporting body of data, at least a portion of the primary body of data is spatially morphed by repositioning, resizing, or distortion. An animation sequence is used to position the supporting body of data in the negotiated space.

Abstract: A captured image includes a portion of a set of two-dimensional address codes. The portion of address codes can be decoded to determine a discrete pointer uniquely defining the portion. The captured image is first processed to determine the orientation of the portion, and then decoded based on the orientation to determine the discrete pointer. To determine the orientation of the portion, the portion is first analyzed to determine values at discrete locations within the portion. The values at each location form a matrix of binary data. The values of the matrix are then correlated to determine an orientation of the captured portion of two dimensional address codes. After determining the orientation of the portion, the values can be further analyzed to determine a discrete pointer that identifies the location of the portion within the address space defined by the two-dimensional address codes.

Abstract: Inventive two-dimensional barcodes, each having encoded digital information in a bitmap representing preferably randomized encoded data bits, are printed onto a printed medium. Preferably, error correction codes are added to the digital information to ensure that the decoding process accurately reproduce the digital information. In one embodiment, the bitmap may further include “anchor” bits in each corner, which are used as part of the skew estimation and deskewing processes during decoding. In a second embodiment, no “anchor” bits are required. The encoded digital information is mapped into the two-dimensional barcode in such a way as to minimize the errors caused by damage to particular rows and/or columns, for example, row damage caused by faxing the printed barcode. To extract the encoded digital information from the printed medium, the printed medium is scanned, then the bitmap is located within the printed medium.

Abstract: According to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an apparatus and method for a digital filing system is disclosed. In this context, digital filing refers to the efficient management of paper-based information from its receipt at the desktop through an indexing, scanning, image storage and image retrieval process. The preferred embodiments of the present invention provide for easy and effective indexing, imaging, storing, retrieving and managing of paper-based documents, transforming them into electronic documents using a system which incorporates many existing office resources. The proposed system and method implements a desktop solution for digital filing, which can be made available to each worker. In one embodiment of the present invention, an individual has complete control over the electronic storage and retrieval of their documents from a standard desktop computer, using a standard web browser application.

Abstract: An image processor which reads and outputs image data. Only by inputting a keyword which causes us to associate an image intuitively, the image processor produces and outputs an image based on a plurality of image data combined on the basis of the input keyword. To this end, an illustration part keyword table contains a plurality of keywords and a plurality of illustration part codes for each keyword. A part arrangement table contains a plurality of image pointer values and their arrangement information in correspondence to illustration part codes. A CPU searches the illustration part keyword table and part arrangement table for a match of the input keyword and reads a plurality of illustration image data corresponding to the keyword from an illustration part image file and arranges the respective illustration images in accordance with the corresponding arrangement information.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for embedding watermark information into a cover signal, such as an audio signal, video signal, or still image signal, in a manner that prevents the watermark information from being removed without degrading the quality of the cover signal. This is accomplished by subjecting the cover signal to a phase modulation prior to being embedded with the watermark information, wherein the amount or degree of phase modulation is changed at least for each different watermark to be embedded in a particular instance or copy of the cover signal. As such, if two copies of the same cover signal, each containing a different watermark, are averaged or combined in an attempt to obliterate the watermark information, the cover signal will be subjected to phase cancellation, rendering any illicit copy of such signal so derived to be valueless.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus comprises an identification code assignment section for assigning an identification code for each page unit or print job unit of print images, a printing section for printing the print image and its corresponding identification code on a recording medium, a storage section for storing the print images and their corresponding identification codes, and an identification code read section for reading the identification code printed on the recording medium. The print image corresponding to the identification code read through said identification code read section is taken out from said storage section and the print image or the print image with the identification code are printed on a recording medium in said printing section.

Abstract: An input unit outputs handwritten data as stroke data to a control unit. The control unit stores the outputted stroke data in a handwritten memo database without recognizing the handwritten data as character code data, and stores stroke data of a retrieval mark in a mark database. The control unit classifies stroke data sets in each page into categories, such as characters and figures, and stores the classification result as retrieval information in the handwritten memo database. On receiving an indication of a retrieval mark or an indication of a retrieval key related to page contents, such as character contents or figure contents, from the input unit, the control unit searches the mark database or the handwritten memo database, and makes a display unit display handwritten data in the pages matching the indication.

Abstract: Inventive two-dimensional barcodes, each having encoded digital information in a bitmap representing preferably randomized encoded data bits, are printed onto a printed medium. The bitmap may further include a plurality of block identifiers, spaced a predetermined number of encoded data bits apart, which are used to make corrections for missing or added data bits when the barcode is decoded. Upon decoding a barcode printed on the printed media, the digital information is scanned and the number of horizontal and vertical edges in each respective column and row of the barcode are determined. An edge is determined by selecting a pixel and determining if the two pixels adjacent to the selected pixel are of different colors. After all of the edges are counted, selected groups of columns and rows are analyzed to determine local minimas in the number of counted horizontal and vertical edges in each selected group which provide the column and row center line for each selected group.